bullet boards

[roger zavoda]

i was thinking of making some of these things to sell on a trade blanket. how can i cut out several at a time and cut out my building time? also how do i drill nice perfect bullit holes of differant calibers and space them perfectly.

yella bar.. thanks

 

[tallbear]

Roger
When I have to make up multibles in my shop I make a plywood template and use a flush trim bit in a router.The flush trim bit is one with a ball bearing on the end.Attach the wood to the template with double stick tape,spray adhesive or screws where the hole for the balls will be.You can use the router in a table(the best way)or you can do it freehand.As for the holes drill the holes in your template and just follow them with your drill.

Mitch

 

[TANSTAAFL]

i was thinking of making some of these things to sell on a trade blanket. how can i cut out several at a time and cut out my building time? also how do i drill nice perfect bullit holes of differant calibers and space them perfectly.

yella bar.. thanks

In one word, "scrollsaw" for cutting out designs.

To drill out holes, use closest drill size available. (hole sizes were sticky posted here on the forum) To prevent tearing out backside, always back up piece to be drilled with scrap wood

Lay out your holes in a grid spaced for caliber.

Found it:

.36 caliber patched ball-------------->3/8 inch drill bit
.45 caliber patched ball-------------->29/64 inch drill bit
.50 caliber patched ball-------------->1/2 inch drill bit
.54 caliber patched ball-------------->35/64 inch drill bit
.58 caliber patched ball-------------->19/32 inch drill bit
.62 caliber patched ball-------------->5/8 inch drill bit

 

[bwhoffman]

to add to the method....

you will get excellent holes by using either a brad point wood bit or a forstner bit. these have leads and a much finer point than common drill bits.
Ive made a bunch as well for the blanket and to give to friends.

Brett

 

[Claude Mathis]

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/192279/

 

[paulvallandigham]

I have to recommend using the Brad Point Bits, and hard wood to get a good clean and smooth sided hole. A five ball block is big enough for any hunting purpose, and the wood should be at least as thick as the ball is wide. I prefer to make it thicker, so a groove can be routed out on the bottom side to fit over the muzzle of the gun to aid indexing the ball. Its just a nice touch that shooters seem to appreciate. You can sell them in raw wood, or finished or partly in each. I like to fill the holes with some kind of wood filler, such as shellac, so that any patch lube is not absorbed by the wood from the patching while the PRB sits in the loading block. I think an ebony stain and then a gloss finish makes a very nice presentation. For real pizzazz, try drilling a hold in the handle large enough to fit a brass sleeve, epozied into the handle, through which a length of leather latigo is run to carry the bullet block around the neck, or to attach to the possible bag strap. ( so they don't lose it! )

 

[Stumpkiller]

If you can get a thick enough board you can drill first and then slice the pieces off to just over ball thickness. That or make an "L" jig to hold a stack while you drill many at once in a drill press.